Carpet stretching apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus is provided for adapting a knee kicker used in stretching carpeting into an extendible power stretcher useful in confined space.

United States Patent Frank J. Palachuk 1216 S. 13th Ave., Yakima, Wash. 98902 807,607

Mar. 17, 1969 Jan. 19, 1971 inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented CARPET STRETCHING APPARATUS 3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 254/63 Int. Cl A47g 27/04 Field of Search 254/57, 62, 63

[5 6} References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,952,218 3/1934 Peterson 254/63 Primary ExaminerAndrew R. Juhasz Assistant ExaminerDavid R. Melton Attorney-Ford E. Smith ABSTRACT: Apparatus is provided for adapting a knee kicker used in stretching carpeting into an extendible power stretcher useful in confined space.

CARPET STRETCHING APPARATUS SUMMARY OF INVENTION Apparatus comprising butt means to pivotally bear against a wall from which carpeting is to be Stretched and having a pair of spaced apart arms provides the pivotal support for housing means adapted to loosely receive and couple the bumper or head of a knee kicker so that the kicker may be operated in toggle fashion to impart a stretching force on carpeting. In the preferred form the arms are V-shaped between their ends and are arranged so that the V is downwardly open and the housing means is coupled thereto on that side of the V remote from the butt means. It is a primary object of this invention to provide an apparatus useful in such confined areas for adapting and converting a knee kicker into an extendible power stretcher.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus associated with a knee kicker;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are schematic sketches showing various adjusted extensions thereof; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing various modes of use of the apparatus.

A knee kicker for carpet commonly used by craftsmen comprises anv arm 10 having a head 12 and a bumper 14 at its respective ends. The underside of head 12 is provided with a plurality of sharp pointed teeth 16 which engage in and grip the nap of the carpeting. Teeth 16 are inclined forwardly to facilitate carpet engagement. Bumper 14 is usually a cushion body which the operator normally forcefully engages with his knee to drive the head forward as he stretches the carpet. In confined areas the carpet layer has considerable difficulty in operating his kicker. Often he finds that he cannot get his knee behind the bumper or to otherwise impart the driving force he needs to properly stretch the carpeting.

In the preferred form of the apparatus, butt means 20, which may be in the form of an elongated bar,. as shown in FIG. 1 is adapted to bear against a wall from which carpeting is to be stretched. By forming the bar cylindrical, as shown, it is adapted to pivotally bear against a wall. A spaced-apart pair of arms 22,22 are anchored on the front of 'butt bar 20 and extend therefrom, as shown in FIG. 1 at an upward forward angle for a short distance where they-bend slightly into a V- shape there being the extending portions 24. The V-shaped arms 22,24 are arranged with respect to the butt bar 20 so that the V is downwardly open toward the carpeting. A series of pivot holes 26 is provided in arms 24 and located to that side of the V that is remote from the butt bar 20.

Housing means 28, providing a socket for the bumper 14 of kicker 10, comprises a base or back wall 30 and surrounding sidewalls 32, bottom wall 34' and top wall 36. Outstanding from sidewalls 32 are pivot pins or bolts 38,38 which may be engaged in any pair of opposed holes 26 to'permit pivoting of the housing 28 relative the arms. As shown, pins 38 may be secured in place by thumb nuts 40. The location of the pivot axis at a rearward position of the housing insure ready swinging to engage the kicker head 12 at any reasonable angle that need be accommodated.

It is desirable that the upper wall 36 of housing 28 extend rearwardly in overhanging relation to the rear wall 30 as shown in FIG. 1. The sidewalls 32 are likewise extended as shown. This provides a strong lip at the rear of housing 28 by which it may be easily and forcefully engaged by the carpet layer in manipulating the apparatus into various positions and in exerting and releasing extendible forces as he may desire. Preferably the size of housing is such that the kicker head 12 fits snugly so that upon retraction of housing 12 the kicker is also retracted as for the next bite into the carpet.

It will be seen that his adapter makes much more versatile the use of a knee kicker in close or restricted spaces to impart extending forces of substantial moment. The carpet layer in using the apparatus need only insert the bumper head of his kicker 10 into the socket provided by housing 28. He may do this in straight alignment perpendicular with the base against which he is working or, because of the exclusion angle of sidewalls and spacing between the bumper l4 and the socket 28, choose various angular positions as shown in FIG. 6.

The upward cant of arms 22,22 and their curved or angled extensions forming the Vs allows for greater backward and forward movement in relation to up and down or toggling motion. With the butt bar 20 bearing against the wall and the arms 22 disposed at a relatively abrupt upward angle, the tool is in retracted position. Downward pressures on the socket box 24,24 produce forces against the head of the kicker which is engaging in and gripping the carpet being stretched. The action is very much that of a toggle linkage. Force or pressure is simply released by raising the housing 28, thus tending to release pressure therefrom and pulling the kicker 14 back for another bite or engagement in the carpet.

It will be apparent that this apparatus is simple of construction and very easy to use; it is compact and versatile in use; and substantial stretching forces are obtainable depending upon the selected length of the arms 22,24 that the artisan uses or employs by positioning pins 38 in various of the holes 24. The greater the extension of the adapter and the carpet kicker, the greater the pressure applied in stretching the carpet.

I-Iaving thus described the invention, reference is made to the subjoined claims. Alternatives and modifications within the scope of the claims are contemplated.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for adapting a knee kicker used in stretching carpeting into an extensible power stretcher, comprising:

butt means adapted to pivotally bear against the walls from which carpeting is to be stretched;

a pair of spaced apart arms extending normal of said base means;

housing means forming a socket adapted to freely receive W and couple the bumper of a knee kicker to said arms; and 

1. Apparatus for adapting a knee kicker used in stretching carpeting into an extensible power stretcher, comprising: butt means adapted to pivotally bear against the walls from which carpeting is to be stretched; a pair of spaced apart arms extending normal of said base means; housing means forming a socket adapted to freely receive and couple the bumper of a knee kicker to said arms; and said housing means being pivotally mounted at its sides between said arms.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said arms are V-shaped between their ends and are arranged with the V downwardly open, and said housing means is pivotally coupled to said arms on that side of the V remote from said butt means.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said housing means includes a rearward extending lip at its upper surface. 